So, I've been flying the 727 for awhile and my landing approaches have been consistently "high". I suspected a problem with the VSI because I still had problems getting down the glidepath, even with a descent rate of -1000FPM.

I installed a default Cessna-172 gauge to check against, and found they were different...the 727 gauge overstated the descent rate by -250 FPM. This explained my high approaches.

To make sure, I then opened up the "L11_vsi" xml gauge (in cab file Captain_Sim.p721.L11) and placed a compass rose over the background bitmap. I found that the angular measurements in the "nonlinearity table" were wrong by ~10 degrees or so. I edited the gauge with 'notepad' so that the "Nonlinearity table" looked like this:

If you use Jeppessen approach plates it will give you the corect rate of descent for the approach categaory of your aircraft. Not every approach is -750FPM.

Good point...and the descent rate needed to stay on even a 'standard' glidepath depends on your speed over ground. When I am doing a visual approach I'll generally push the nose over and start down at -750fpm and then adjust from there based on the glideslope needle, PAPI or appearance of the runway.

In this case I kept starting down at -750fpm and immediately getting 4 white lights

If you use Jeppessen approach plates it will give you the corect rate of descent for the approach categaory of your aircraft. Not every approach is -750FPM.

JETPILOT -

One more thing...I bought this great addon called Jeppesen "SIMCHARTS 4.0" that has the approach plates for every airport in FSX, based on the same ~2005 data that was used to make FSX. It can even display your path over ground on the plate so you can see how well you flew the approach.

Unfortunately it is 'web based' and Jepp is ending it in April '10. I'd pay for a CD of the charts but they aren't offering

You can go to your local airpot and buy Jepp Express packs. They are charts for a given geographical area. They are not updateable so you don't buy a subscription.

The VASI/PAPI etc vertical approach lighting are not aligned with the glideslope. When flying an ILS your glideslope indicator is your primary source of vertical guidance. It's not uncommon to find approach lighting systems that do nto align with the glideslope. If they do then it's by chance.

You can go to your local airpot and buy Jepp Express packs. They are charts for a given geographical area. They are not updateable so you don't buy a subscription.

The VASI/PAPI etc vertical approach lighting are not aligned with the glideslope. When flying an ILS your glideslope indicator is your primary source of vertical guidance. It's not uncommon to find approach lighting systems that do nto align with the glideslope. If they do then it's by chance.

Yes, divergence between glideslope and the VASI/PAPI is something you can actually see in FS. Nowhere springs to mind immediately, but I think MYGF in the Bahamas has this problem. If you peg the needle for the glideslope and follow it to the threshold the PAPI will register you 3 white and 1 red.